Up to the 'challenge'

BONNERS FERRY — His boots are made for walking, and that ‘s just what Mayor David Sims does. He’s walked 10,000 steps all just for you.

All kidding aside, Mayor Sims has won another $1,000 for the community of Bonners Ferry by participating in the Blue Cross of Idaho’s Mayor’s Walking Challenge.

Mayors, across the state of Idaho, get a chance at the prize money for averaging 10,000 steps per day during the month of October. Seventy-seven mayors have registered for the challenge.

Sims has participated, and won the $1,000, for the second year in a row.

The challenge is part of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health under the High Five initiative which promotes healthy physical activities for children.

“We plan to use the money to help fund the walking path at the Valley View School,” said Sims. “It’s great to be able to help fund projects that benefit our schools and our children.”

A few of the projects that have been funded through the High Five grant are the community pool refurbishing, an outdoor ice skating rink at the fairgrounds, a cross country trail at the high school which includes Frisbee golf, and cardio equipment for the high school.

“Bonners Ferry received a total of $250,000 in 2016 through the High Five Community Transformation Grant,” Sims said.

The new cross country track, workout trail and Frisbee golf course is available for community use anytime when school is not in session.

“We want Bonners Ferry to be a healthy, active community, and the Mayor’s Walking Challenge helps promote that,” said Sims.